Stainless Steel S81921 1/4H
Supply condition
UNS S81921
1/4H = quarter hard
Light cold work for strip and structural profiles where extra yield strength is wanted with usable bendability.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other S81921 tempers and conditions
S81921 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at S81921.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welded & annealed tube/pipe (ASTM A789/A790 class) | Standard condition for welded pipe and tubing — post-weld solution anneal restores phase balance and corrosion performance across the weld. | 515 | 720 | 32 | 22 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (~1020–1100 °C) and rapid water quenched | Standard supply condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; balanced ferrite/austenite with optimum corrosion resistance and toughness. | 520 | 730 | 35 | 21 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Pick for bar, shafting and fasteners needing tighter tolerance, better straightness and higher yield strength than annealed bar. | 700 | 860 | 20 | 28 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
1/4HThis page Quarter hard | Light cold work for strip and structural profiles where extra yield strength is wanted with usable bendability. | 720 | 900 | 18 | 30 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Half hard | For springy strip, clamps and weight-optimised structural strip where high strength beats formability. | 850 | 1,020 | 12 | 34 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is S81921 1/4H?
S81921 1/4H is S81921 supplied in the 1/4H condition — light cold work for strip and structural profiles where extra yield strength is wanted with usable bendability. S81921 1/4H has a yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 93% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S81921 1/4H has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 720 MPa (104 ksi), better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 280°C (536 °F), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
S81921 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for S81921 1/4H; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S81921 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S81921 1/4H has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical17
S81921 1/4H has a yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 93% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S81921 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 280°C (536 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S81921 1/4H conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 58% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S81921 1/4H takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
S81921 1/4H's machinability is fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S81921 1/4H
Is S81921 easy to machine?
Cuts like a tough, work-hardening duplex: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds with no dwell, ~60–70 % of 304 speeds and flood coolant.
Can S81921 be welded?
Weld with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using 2209 or matching lean-duplex filler and Ar+2%N₂ backing; keep heat input ~0.5–2.0 kJ/mm and interpass <150 °C to hold ~50/50 ferrite-austenite; no preheat, no post-weld temper in the 300–1000 °C range.
Can S81921 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but needs roughly twice the press force of 304 with large springback allowance; hot form at 950–1150 °C followed by full solution anneal and water quench.
What surface finishes work on S81921?
Pickle and passivate (HNO₃-HF) after hot work or welding to remove heat tint; can be mechanically polished, bead blasted or electropolished — no anodizing.
S81921 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| MnMn substitutes for Ni and stabilises N solubility | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0 |
| Cr | 19 – 21.5 | 20 |
| Nilean-Ni design | 2 – 4 | 3 |
| Momax; usually residual level | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Cu | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Naustenite stabiliser, raises strength and pitting resistance | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Fe | balance | — |
S81921 1/4H — frequently asked
What is S81921 1/4H used for?
S81921 1/4H is typically used for storage tanks, structural components, transport tankers and low-chloride process equipment. In short: low-nickel duplex, lower cost; twice the yield of 304; below 2205 in pitting.
What is the yield strength of S81921 1/4H?
S81921 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 93% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S81921 1/4H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades). Cuts like a tough, work-hardening duplex: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds with no dwell, ~60–70 % of 304 speeds and flood coolant.
Can S81921 1/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Weld with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using 2209 or matching lean-duplex filler and Ar+2%N₂ backing; keep heat input ~0.5–2.0 kJ/mm and interpass <150 °C to hold ~50/50 ferrite-austenite; no preheat, no post-weld temper in the 300–1000 °C range.
What surface finishes work on S81921 1/4H?
Pickle and passivate (HNO₃-HF) after hot work or welding to remove heat tint; can be mechanically polished, bead blasted or electropolished — no anodizing.
Can S81921 1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but needs roughly twice the press force of 304 with large springback allowance; hot form at 950–1150 °C followed by full solution anneal and water quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of S81921 1/4H?
S81921 1/4H is rated for continuous use to about 280°C (536 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S81921 Annealed and S81921-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — standard supply condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; balanced ferrite/austenite with optimum corrosion resistance and toughness. CD: pick for bar, shafting and fasteners needing tighter tolerance, better straightness and higher yield strength than annealed bar. Yield strength is 520 MPa in Annealed versus 700 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A789/A790 — Seamless and Welded Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubing and Pipe — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM A276/A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Practical Guidelines for the Fabrication of Duplex Stainless Steels — IMOA (2014)
- Lean duplex stainless steel plate/coil datasheets (2101/2003-class) — Outokumpu / TISCO / Baosteel (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.